Elena
09-24-2002, 10:30 AM
I think Shawn was talking about buying his first road bike? If not, sorry. Anyhow I was thinking of some basic, and I mean basic as I am not much of a roadie, tips for him as I was riding my road bike yesterday.
1) Whenever I see a parked car I always leave a door length between the car and myself. I know this guy who got taken off his bike b/c the motorist was stopped and opened their door into him.
2) Stay away from gravel, your road tires are not as stable ( I have some in my arm still) :(
3) Roadies by and large are not friendly, in fact don't be surprised if you say "Hi" and the elitist bastards ignore you. B/c of this I always make an effort to say "hello" to the pedestrians I see in the local neighborhoods I ride. I do this for two reason 1) b/c it is the polite thing to do 2) we want to keep on good terms with them and you never know when you may need their help.
4) Always ride with your cell phone. I have crashed once on the road and it sent me to the hospital. Road crashes are always worse, pavement does not give. The person could only drop me off so I had to call one of my friends to pick me up.
5) I will never road ride in a tank top or sleeveless jersey again, I had road rash that really scrapped up my shoulder luckily (but painfully) they managed to get most of the gravel out.
6) I try to wear bright colored jerseys on the road.
7) Always assume the motorists has not seen you and will do exactly what you don't want them to do (double this if they are elderly)
8) Dogs are not your friend, unless you want a sprint workout.
9) When in doubt wear the yellow lens in your glasses they improve visibility at dusk.
10) It took me about 2-4 weeks to be less edgey on the road. I had to get used to motorist honking at me from behind and this startled me and almost made me fall several times.
11) At stop signs, stop if there is a car coming and make sure they have committed to stopping.
12) Point the direction you plan on going for motorists. No one really uses the right hand signal anymore.
If you can talk to other roadies or ride with them on safe areas where many cyclists are so you can get used to riding on the road. Be safe oh yeah and road tubes/tires are much much harder to change a flat with so bring tire irons.
Be safe and be friendly. Who knows you may even see DavidJames on the road!!! :D
1) Whenever I see a parked car I always leave a door length between the car and myself. I know this guy who got taken off his bike b/c the motorist was stopped and opened their door into him.
2) Stay away from gravel, your road tires are not as stable ( I have some in my arm still) :(
3) Roadies by and large are not friendly, in fact don't be surprised if you say "Hi" and the elitist bastards ignore you. B/c of this I always make an effort to say "hello" to the pedestrians I see in the local neighborhoods I ride. I do this for two reason 1) b/c it is the polite thing to do 2) we want to keep on good terms with them and you never know when you may need their help.
4) Always ride with your cell phone. I have crashed once on the road and it sent me to the hospital. Road crashes are always worse, pavement does not give. The person could only drop me off so I had to call one of my friends to pick me up.
5) I will never road ride in a tank top or sleeveless jersey again, I had road rash that really scrapped up my shoulder luckily (but painfully) they managed to get most of the gravel out.
6) I try to wear bright colored jerseys on the road.
7) Always assume the motorists has not seen you and will do exactly what you don't want them to do (double this if they are elderly)
8) Dogs are not your friend, unless you want a sprint workout.
9) When in doubt wear the yellow lens in your glasses they improve visibility at dusk.
10) It took me about 2-4 weeks to be less edgey on the road. I had to get used to motorist honking at me from behind and this startled me and almost made me fall several times.
11) At stop signs, stop if there is a car coming and make sure they have committed to stopping.
12) Point the direction you plan on going for motorists. No one really uses the right hand signal anymore.
If you can talk to other roadies or ride with them on safe areas where many cyclists are so you can get used to riding on the road. Be safe oh yeah and road tubes/tires are much much harder to change a flat with so bring tire irons.
Be safe and be friendly. Who knows you may even see DavidJames on the road!!! :D